Determination of 10 carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mainstream cigarette smoke

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one class of chemical compounds that (1) are present at low to trace levels in unburned cigarette filler, and (2) are predominantly generated during combustion. According to a recent report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 10 carcinogenic PAHs together with 53 other known carcinogens are present in cigarette smoke. Accurate quantification of these chemicals helps assess public health risk to both smokers and nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke. We have developed and validated a specific and sensitive method for measuring these 10 carcinogenic PAHs in the particulate phase of mainstream tobacco smoke. Cigarette smoke particulate, produced using standard machine smoking protocols, was collected on glass fiber Cambridge filter pads. The particulate matter was solvent extracted, purified by solid-phase extraction, and analyzed by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry using isotopically labeled analogues as internal standards. Our method's limits of detection ranged from 11 to 166 pg and achieved sufficient reproducibility and accuracy to provide useful information on a range of cigarettes having dramatically different machine-smoked tar and nicotine deliveries. The identity of each PAH analyte was established from chromatographic retention time, analyte-specific fragmentation patterns, and relative peak area ratios of the product/precursor ion pairs. This new method provides higher sensitivity, specificity, and throughput than did earlier methods. We found relatively consistent PAH levels among a selection of domestic full-flavor cigarettes. The PAH levels in smoke from highly ventilated light and ultralight cigarettes were low when smoked using ISO (International Organization for Standardization) conditions. However, if highly ventilated cigarettes were smoked under more intense conditions (e.g., larger or more frequent puffs, vents blocked), their PAH levels equaled or exceeded their full-flavor counterparts under ISO conditions.     

Acanthocephalan infection and sparganosis in a green tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata)

Acanthocephalan and spargana parasites were identified within a body wall mass during exploratory surgery in a wild green tree snake. Acanthocephalan parasites have not previously been reported in this species. Surgical excision, the treatment of choice, could not be achieved because of the extensive infiltration of the coelomic cavity.     

Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume,plasma chemistry parameters,and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride

This study evaluated the effects of administering oral powder electrolytes on packed cell volume (PCV), plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating on a 6-day 162-km trail ride in which water was not offered ad libitum. Twenty-three horses received grain with powder electrolytes daily while 19 control horses received grain only. Horses were ridden approximately 32 km a day at a walk or trot. Packed cell volume and plasma chemistry parameters were analyzed daily. Episodes of colic were diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian unaware of treatment group allocation. Blood parameters and incidence of colic were compared between treatment groups. Electrolyte administration did not alter PCV or plasma chemistry parameters compared to controls. The incidence of colic was significantly higher in treated horses (P = 0.05). Oral powder electrolytes did not enhance hydration status or electrolyte homeostasis and may be associated with colic in horses participating on long distance trail rides similar to this model.     

The effects of temperature on the physiological response to low oxygen in Atlantic sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), which are bottom dwelling and migratory fish, experience environmental hypoxia in their natural environment. Atlantic sturgeon, acclimated to either 5 or 15°C, were subjected to a 1 h severe (<10 mm Hg) hypoxia challenge in order to document their physiological responses. We measured hematological parameters, including O₂ transport (hemoglobin, hematocrit), ionic (chloride, osmolality), and metabolic (glucose, lactate) variables under normoxic conditions (~160 mm Hg), immediately following a 1 h exposure to hypoxic water, and following a further 2 h of recovery from this challenge in normoxic water. In a second experiment, we assessed the opercular beat frequency before, during, and after hypoxic exposure. Hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit were significantly different between fish held at 5°C vs. 15°C and also significantly different between normoxia prior to hypoxia and following recovery. Plasma lactate concentrations increased following hypoxia at both temperatures, indicative of an increase in anaerobic metabolism. In contrast, a significant increase in plasma glucose concentrations in response to hypoxia only occurred at 5°C, suggesting different fuel demands under different temperatures. Changes in opercular beat frequency (OBF) were dependent on temperature. At 5°C, OBF increased upon exposure to hypoxia, but returned to pre-exposure levels within 35 min for the remainder of the experiment. During hypoxia at 15°C, OBF increased very briefly, but then rapidly (within 20 min) decreased to levels below control values. Following a return to normoxia, OBF quickly increased to control levels. Overall, these findings suggest that Atlantic sturgeons are relatively tolerant to short-term and severe hypoxic stress, and the strategies for hypoxia tolerance may be temperature dependent.     

Comparison of acid-detergent lignin,alkaline-peroxide lignin,and acid-detergent insoluble ash as internal markers for predicting fecal output and digestibilily by caltie offered bermudagrass hays of varying nutrient composition

Background： The potential for acid-detergent insoluble ash （ADIA）, alkaline-peroxide lignin （APL）, and acid-detergent lignin （ADL） to predict fecal output （FO） and dry matter digestibility （DMD） by cattle offered bermudagrass [Cynodon doctylon （L） Pers.] hays of different qualities was evaluated. Eight ruminally cannulated cows （594 ± 35.5 kg） were allocated randomly to 4 hay diets： low （L）, medium low （ML）, medium high （MH）, and high （H） crude protein （CP） concentration （79, 111,131, and 164 g CP/kg on a DM basis, respectively）. Diets were offered in 3 periods with 2 diet replicates per period and were rotated across cows between periods. Cows were individually fed 20 g DM/kg of body weight in equal feedings at 08：00 and 16：00 h for a 10-d adaptation followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Actual DM intake （DMI）, DMD, and FO were determined based on hay offered, ort, and feces excreted. These components were then analyzed for ADL, APL, and ADIA concentration to determine marker recovery and marker-based estimates of FO and DMD. Results： Forage DMI was affected by diet （P = 0.02）, and DMI from MH and H was greater （P 〈 0.05） than from L. Apparent DMD tended （P = 0.08） to differ among diets while FO （P = 0.20） was not affected by diet treatments. Average ADL recovery （1.16） was greater （P 〈 0.05） than that of ADIA （1.03） and APL （1.06）, but ADIA and APL did not differ （P = 0.42）. Estimates of FO and DMD derived using APL and ADIA were not different （P≥0.05） from total fecal collection while those using ADL differed （P 〈 0.05）. There was no diet by marker interaction （P≥ 0.22） for either FO or DMD. Conclusion： Acid-detergent insoluble ash and APL accurately predicted FO and DMD of cattle fed bermudagrass hay of varying nutrient composition. These internal markers may facilitate studies involving large numbers of animals and forages. Results from such studies may be used to develop improve     

The effects of kin and familiarity on interactions between fish

Fish have been shown to discriminate between individuals on very general bases such as species, body length and colour. More recently, evidence has been accumulating from a number of species that relatedness and familiarity may be extremely important in mediating a range of interactions between individual fish. Studies have shown that fish are able to recognize kin and/or familiars, and that this ability potentially conveys significant benefits, including increased inclusive fitness, reduced inbreeding costs, reduced competition and enhanced antipredator behaviour. Here, we review the literature and consider future directions and applications for this research.     

An empirical bio-economic stocking model for floodplain beels in Bangladesh

While stocking floodplain depressions or beels with fingerlings is a common form of fisheries management in Bangladesh, bio‐economic guidance for improving the outcome of stocking strategies is sparse. The Community‐Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) Project, funded by the Ford Foundation and the UK Government's Department for International Development (DfID) promoted stocking practices in beels throughout the country as a means to improve fisher livelihoods. This paper describes an empirical bio‐economic model developed using data generated under the CBFM project. The model offers guidance on selecting stocking densities depending upon the available size (length) of fingerlings to maximize profit and return on investment while minimizing risk. Because large fingerlings are relatively inexpensive and have lower rates of natural mortality, the model predicts that it is more profitable to stock large fingerlings at low densities than small fingerlings at high densities. These general recommendations were found to be largely insensitive to the market price for harvested fish. To minimize credit burden and financial risk, minimum stocking densities should be selected according to the length of fish available that maximizes profit. Because of its empirical nature, the model recommendations may not be applicable beyond the project sites. Furthermore, it is recommended that attempts be made to field test the model predictions before widespread adoption or promotion.     

Taxonomic and functional macroinvertebrate diversity of high-altitude ponds in the Macun Cirque,Switzerland

1. Global environmental change is threatening freshwater biodiversity with ecological impacts predicted to be particularly severe in high-altitude regions. Despite this, an ecological understanding of high-altitude pond networks remains patchy, with only limited knowledge of the environmental and spatial predictors of taxonomic and functional diversity. Moreover, previous studies of pond ecosystems have focused primarily on taxonomic richness and largely overlooked functional diversity.
2. This study examined the influence of local environmental and spatial factors on taxonomic and functional α and β diversity (including the turnover and nestedness-resultant components) of 17 high-altitude (~2,500 m above sea level) pond macroinvertebrate communities, in the Macun Cirque, Switzerland.
3. Spatial processes (pond connectivity) were important drivers for taxonomic α diversity, while local environmental variables (pond permanence and surface area) were important determinants of functional α diversity. Species turnover was the most important component of β diversity for taxonomic composition, and functional composition demonstrated a nested spatial pattern.
4. Variation in taxonomic and functional composition (and the turnover and nestedness components of β diversity) were determined by local environmental variables despite the limited environmental gradients within the pond network. No significant effects of spatial variables on community composition were recorded for either facet of diversity, indicating that compositional variation was determined at a local scale. Water temperature, depth and pond permanence were consistently the most important measured drivers of diversity.
5. Given the importance of both spatial and environmental variables in structuring taxonomic and functional diversity, landscape-scale conservation and management activities that aim to improve or protect high-altitude freshwater biodiversity should focus on maintaining connectivity among ponds and environmental heterogeneity, particularly pond surface area, water depth, and hydroperiod. Understanding the mechanisms driving taxonomic and functional diversity will be critically important for the management and conservation of macroinvertebrate communities in high-altitude pond networks in the face of climatic warming.

     

Estimating the component of soil respiration not dependent on living plant roots: Comparison of the indirect y-intercept regression approach and direct bare plot approach

Distinguishing between root and non-root derived CO₂ efflux is important when determining rates of soil organic matter turnover, however, in practice they remain difficult to separate. Our aim was to evaluate two methods for determining the component of below-ground respiration not dependent on plant roots (i.e., basal soil respiration; R_b). The first approach estimated R_b indirectly from the y-intercept of linear regressions between below-ground respiration (BGR) and root biomass. The second approach involved direct measurements of soil respiration from bare plots. To compare the contrasting approaches, BGR and crop biomass measurements were collected throughout the year in a range of agricultural systems. We found that both methods were very closely correlated with each other. Values of R_b determined by the intercept approach, however, were slightly higher than those determined by measurement of bare plots. Both approaches showed a seasonal trend with estimates of R_b lowest in winter months at 0.02 t C ha⁻¹ month⁻¹ for the y-intercept approach and 0.11 t C ha⁻¹ month⁻¹ for the bare plots approach, even after the data had been corrected for the influence of soil temperature. Highest rates of R_b occurred from the height to the end of the crop growing season (0.8-1.5 t C ha⁻¹ month⁻¹). The annual CO₂ efflux due to R_b was estimated to be 8.1 t C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ from the y-intercept approach and 6.8 t C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ from bare plots. Annual BGR was 12.1 t C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. We conclude that both methods provide similar estimates of R_b, however, logistically the bare plots approach is much easier to undertake than the y-intercept approach.     

Toxocara vitulorum in beef calves kept on effluent-irrigated pastures in Zimbabwe

Faeces from 20 calves aged 13 +/- 5 days were examined for Toxocara vitulorum eggs fortnightly for a period of 20 weeks. The age of calves when eggs were first detected varied from 24 to 110 days (mean 41 +/- 20 days). The mean egg count varied from 257 to 19,821 g-1 of faeces with a highest count of 68,400. The patency period of T. vitulorum lasted from 14 to 112 days (mean 65 +/- 30 days). None of the calves showed clinical signs of illness.